Prime Minister: NRIs can vote in 2014 election

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing the annual conclave for the Indian Diaspora, the eighth edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, at New Delhi on Friday said that all Non Resident Indians (NRIs) will be able to cast their votes by the time the country holds its next general elections in 2014.

The PM said the he recognised the legitimate desire of Indians living abroad to exercise their franchise and to have a say in who governs India. He added that the Union Government had been working on this issue and the NRIs would get a chance to vote by the time of the next regular general elections.

Around 1,500 delegates from 50-plus countries are attending the conclave that the country hosts annually to connect with its 25 million Diaspora in 130 countries.